The software development lifecycle (SDLC) is constantly evolving as a result of a variety of factors, including the constantly changing technological landscape, new consumer and business demands, and market trends.
Even if a technology is widely used today, it could be quickly rendered obsolete. The current software development process is undergoing a number of significant shifts, including how we develop, deploy, and manage software and the platforms for which we build.
Let’s take a look at some software development trends that are likely to have a significant impact on the IT industry.
Development of software using low- and no-code
Despite the fact that coding is the foundation of software development, this idea may appear to be in contradiction.
Although software development is becoming more and more complicated, the need to deliver software faster is never going to go away. As a result, software development teams have been constantly under pressure and new talent has been reluctant to enter high-pressure environments.
In the software development industry, low-code and no-code products have quickly gained traction because of these reasons.
Importantly, the development of low- and no-code tools and platforms will never completely replace the need for programmers to write code. However, more and more people are realising the benefits of using them.
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional development pipelines, low and no-code options can help.
Protection of big data
Information technology (IT) companies are increasingly relying heavily on large amounts of data to make their businesses more efficient and profitable.
Big data has necessitated a shift in the way software is developed to meet these needs. Securing all of this collected data has become a top priority for any organisation due to the increased scrutiny of big data by users, regulatory bodies, and governments.
It is because of this requirement that security has been made a fundamental component. Any software that interacts with data must be developed with security in mind from the beginning. Big data security will be the next big thing as the “data as a service” platform grows and the internet is constantly threatened.
DevSecOps
Because of the shift to DevOps practises, software development is now more agile and faster, with better results. Because of this increased reliance on the internet and the cloud for software development, security threats to software may also rise in the near future.
Security teams are unable to keep up with the rapid pace of the software development and delivery process because of these factors.
DevSecOps, on the other hand, has security teams constantly monitoring every aspect of the DevOps process, integrating security into every nook and cranny of the software development process. As a result, more secure software is produced as a result of the SDLC integration of security. Thus, DevSecOps is expected to replace DevOps as the standard operating procedure for most development teams in the near future.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more prevalent
All kinds of software, from simple computer vision to enterprise-scale predictive analytics, already incorporate AI. Artificial intelligence has made enormous strides in recent years and appears to have no intention of slowing down any time soon.
AI that can match human intelligence may become a reality within the next decade, as most narrow AIs have become intelligent enough to replace humans completely in most aspects.
Static pieces of logic are being replaced by self-learning and ever-evolving entities thanks to artificial intelligence, neural networks, and machine learning software. This will alter the way software is created in the future. It is expected that the majority of developments will shift away from creating static logic to creating algorithms that can learn and evolve to meet changing end-user requirements.
Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)
The development and maintenance of separate applications for mobile and web may become an unnecessary burden with the continuous growth of mobile and web-based applications.
If you’re familiar with PIA (Progressive Web Apps), you know that they’re a technology that allows you to create native-app-like mobile versions of your web apps in web languages like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
AR/VR/MR
AR, VR, and MR have appeared to be stagnant in recent years, but reality shows that all three technologies are constantly improving. These technologies will fundamentally alter the way we perceive and interact with the world, as most consumers crave new experiences.
The most widely used technology is augmented reality (AR), which has applications in a wide range of fields, from e-commerce to reshaping consumer shopping habits to enhancing GPS navigation through AR-enabled apps.
With more and more reliance on digital technologies, augmented reality (AR) has the potential to become an integral part of the user experience. All of this equates to AR-specific software developments. In addition, Google and Apple’s ARCore and ARKit development tools are quickly gaining momentum in AR development.
Virtual reality (VR) is most often associated with gaming, which is understandable, given that this is the technology’s primary intended application.
When used properly, virtual reality (VR) can provide a first-person perspective that is unmatched by any other medium. You don’t have to leave your house to go to a distant planet or to the deepest trenches of the ocean. This doesn’t mean we don’t see VR’s potential in other industries, such as education and entertainment. However, most of us forget that VR has applications beyond gaming. It’s possible for students to participate in virtual reality activities and even watch movies created specifically for the VR medium.
Mixed reality (MR) is a technology that connects the physical and digital worlds, bridging the gap between them. As a technology, mixed reality has the potential to alter our relationship with the physical world forever.
Internet of Things (IoT) Expansion
More and more devices are joining the Internet of Things, ranging from simple household appliances to medical equipment. As a result, an increasing amount of software will be created specifically for IoT devices. A closer relationship between cloud and IoT technologies will result, since most IoT devices use distributed and cloud-based technologies throughout their lifecycle.
